Question
I have a CD4 count of 190, what are my chances once I start HIV medication?
3 September 2010. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load, Starting treatment.
My CD4 count is 190. I am asymptomatic. I have started Septrin (Co-trimoxazole) for the next 3 months. How bad am I and what are my chances once I start treatment. I am 45 years old and recently diagnosed by chance.
Answer
Thank you for your question.
If your CD4 count is 190 then you need to think about starting treatment as soon as possible. With the treatments that are available today HIV positive people should expect a good quality of life and a near normal life expectancy. People have come back to good health with CD4 counts as low as one.
Once you start treatment the prospects of a good recovering is very good.
For more information on HIV treatment please follow this link to the ‘Introduction to Combination Therapy‘ guide.
Hi Allen, are you on treatment? Chances of living are determined by being on treatment or not.
When on treatment it would be expected that your viral load will be suppressed and your CD4 count will be able to recover. A CD4 count of 190 is considered quite low and a medication called co-trimoxazole is often given while you recover. This is an antibiotic used to prevent other infections while your immune system is weak.
When on treatment and taking it as prescribed, your life expectancy will be similar to that of someone without HIV. Treatment is effective enough at stopping HIV from having any negative impact on your health. At 190 you can expect your CD4 count to return to a healthy range within a year or two.
What are the chances of living with a 190
Don’t worry, my wife started treatment with a CD4 of 90! That was 7 years ago and I am on treatment too! There will be brighter days ahead!